As you may remember, this was first announced in June 2016 at Slover Library by IKEA representatives, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim. Officials went on record stating that the new store will feature 331,000 square-feet of shopping space, 1200 parking spaces, and a 450-seat cafeteria-style restaurant with a wide variety of dishes from their famous Swedish meatballs to American-style pizza.

What does this mean for home owners living in Norfolks and the Hampton Roads area?

Well, first of all, it means you won't have to plan a three-hour road to trip to Woodbridge, Virginia or a five-and-a-half hour drive to Charlotte, North Carolina. It'll be easier than ever you to step up your interior decorating, style your home, or simply furnish your new Norfolk home.

Second, construction will be starting soon, including several major changes to the roadways surrounding the proposed location at the northwest corner of Interstate 64 and Northampton Boulevard, right next to the newly opened Norfolk Premium Outlets. The Northampton Boulevard interchange at I-64 West will be widened from two lanes to four, new signals will be installed, and the merge lanes going onto I-64 West from Northampton Boulevard will be extended.

Finally, the Hampton Roads area and Norfolk has a rapidly growing population. Not only with the construction launch 500 new jobs but the store itself is planning on hiring 250 IKEA employees, further improving the areas already impressive employment rate.

Get the most out of your shopping at IKEA Norfolk, VA

With a year to go until we can all spend our days getting lost in the maze of IKEA, we thought we would pass along some tips and tricks to ensure you get the most out your trips when shopping at IKEA Norfolk.

1. Keep your eyes peeled for shortcuts. We've all been there. You head to IKEA to pick up a few key items and end up spending hours getting lost in all the fun trinkets, and before you know it, you have a cart piled sky high with items you never knew you needed. Keep your trip on schedule and on-budget by following the shortcuts marked overhead. You can also download the IKEA app to bring up your store's map whenever you need it.

2. Plan, plan, plan ahead. It's one thing to make a list and use the marked shortcuts, but what if we told you we had an even more efficient way to map out your best course of action at IKEA? Well, we do! Before you head out on your shopping trip at IKEA Norfolk, head online and find the items you're looking for. Each of the item listed on the site will identify the aisle and bin they are located in, allowing you to map out your trip.

3. Sign up for the Family Program. It's free to register for this program and ensures that members always receive the lowest prices possible. Who doesn't love that? You'll also receive IKEA's 90-Day Price Protection Guarantee, so if you purchase an item that goes on sale within that time, you'll get a price adjustment if you bring in your receipt.

Oh, one more fun tip: don't hesitate to grab that big ticket item you've had your eye on just because you don't have the vehicle size or strengthen to carry it out. IKEA offers affordable and convenient delivery, with fees starting at $59 and increases based on distance and time traveled, not weight. So if you're buying your very first Hampton Roads home or want to redecorate your long-time Norfolk condo, you can furnish and decorate your home in one trip!